Mentor-on-the-Lake City Council rejects proposed spending changes

It was three up, three down this week for a trio of proposed Mentor-on-the-Lake ordinances targeting city finances.
Council unanimously rejected legislation that would have:
* Eliminated the remaining $12,540 allocation for recreation this year
* Reduced to $2,500 the amount at which the administration must seek permission to make purchases, down from $25,000
* Established a reserve balance account, or “rainy day” fund, in which to place revenues from cost savings that occur, such as the cuts to the recreation program
Council President Troy Elam proposed the changes as a means for council to have more say on spending.
“What I wanted more than anything else was for council to look at those issues, investigate them, and they did,” he said. “I’m satisfied with that.”
He said the administration opposed the measures and likely influenced council members.
“I’m not suggesting that the administration has mismanaged anything,” Elam said. “I’m suggesting that their priorities are not my priorities.”
Mayor David Eva said the legislation items were not supported by the administration because “each of these crossed the line of legislative responsibility versus administrative responsibility.” Councilwoman Jennifer Jakosh said the administration didn’t sway her decision.
“Their information that they give to us is taken into consideration,” she said, adding that she does her own research.
Administrative Director Kip L. Molenaar indicated that the spending approval limit would hinder operations.
“All expenditures over $2,500 would have to wait until a council meeting would be held for approval,” he said. “A requested or necessary expenditure could take up to three weeks before we order an item or pay a bill.”
He noted that the recreation budget already was slashed from $53,700 last year to $25,240 this year, mainly because of ending the Mentor Reimbursement Program, among other cuts, following the November levy failure.
“Should this ordinance pass, as of July 1, (there would be) no recreation director, no recreation clerk, no maintenance of parks, no recreation supplies — no nothing,” Molenaar said.
Council is considering several levy options for the fall ballot.
Elam said the mayor did agree, at his request, to include council in the process to hire a new fire chief and service director.

Editor's Note: This article was edited at 2:44 p.m., June 2, to add a council member's comment.